British dad breaks neck after being pushed into shallow pool at Benidorm party
A lad's holiday to Benidorm ended in horror when a dad broke his neck and back after being shoved into a shallow pool 'as a joke'.
Martin Bullen, 31, was at a pool party on June 10 when he claims a stranger came up and playfully pushed him into the water.
But he had no idea how shallow the water was, so when he tried to dive in, he ended up splitting his head open on the bottom.
Luckily, one of the worried partygoers who helped get him out happened to be an army medic and knew to keep him still until an ambulance arrived.
Martin, who works as a sales advisor, was then taken to a nearby hospital where he got 16 stitches for his head wound and was told he had fractured his neck in three places and broken his back.
He said: 'I was having a drink, but I had my wits about me and stuff. Somebody pushed me into the pool, and I didn't know it was a shallow pool.
'I'm thinking I'll just dive in and dive back up and my head hit the floor straight away and it split open my head.
'It was quite scary. I'll be honest, there was at one point I thought I was going to die on my own [in hospital] because I didn't know what was going on or who to talk to.'
Martin, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, added: 'I can see how it could be portrayed dead easily as a boozy Brit in Benidorm who has done this but to be honest with you, I wasn't drunk.
'It was a freak accident because I didn't know the pool was shallow.
'I'm a full-time dad and I try and work my hardest and try and bring them up the best I can do. I'm not one of those idiots – I have a lot of responsibilities, and I take pride in them.'
He explained that the trip to Benidorm with his cousins was meant to be a break from being a busy single dad.
The blow which perhaps hurt the most though, was a 'stupid' mistake he made when finalising the trip – he forgot to book travel insurance.
'It was a moment of madness [not to take out insurance],' Martin said.
'I was looking at getting it, I put it in the WhatsApp group for my cousins to get it and as I went to do mine something came up with the kids.
'Then it just slipped my mind and then I forgot all about it and didn't get it done. It was a daft mistake. I knew I needed to get it.
'I think one of the kids hurt themself outside or something and I rushed out to sort it and then I got back and got distracted.
'Failure to prepare is preparing to fail, that's the best thing I could say.'
Thankfully Martin was able to fly home on June 16 and said doctors at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan have found five fractures in his neck and back.
He said he still needs to wear a neck brace and can only walk or stand for about five minutes before he needs to sit down. More Trending
He is awaiting further scans to find out the extent of the damage and what his recovery will be like.
His dad, Scott Bullen, 63, flew out to be with him in hospital and was luckily able to help him with hospital costs but now Martin is raising money to be able to pay his dad back.
Martin said: 'I've got two boys full time on my own, luckily my dad helped me with upfront costs, which I've got to pay back because he's retired.
'I know it's going to be a long road to recovery, but I've got through the hard part, which was getting home and being around people who can support me.'
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: Major UK airline launches sale with £29 flights to 475 destinations — but it ends in two days
MORE: Cause of Spain and Portugal blackouts which left millions in the dark revealed
MORE: More than 600 EasyJet cabin crew to walk out causing chaos for thousands of holidaymakers
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Watch ‘movie-style' masked gang raid to spring Brit drugs boss from custody in Spain while he was being taken to dentist
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the dramatic moment a violent gang raids a police van to free a Brit prisoner drug boss being taken to a dental clinic. The daring Ibiza assault has been described as a heist straight out of a "movie episode" and has led to the arrest of five people. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 The gang descended on the van carrying the drug lord Credit: Rita Sobot 6 Cops have arrested five gang members associated with the assault Credit: 6 Large amounts of drugs and cash were retrieved Credit: Rita Sobot Operating in broad daylight, the armed mob were seen attacking a police van to free a British drug lord who was being escorted to a dental clinic to receive medical attention. The gang wore bulletproof vests, used a motorcycle and a high-end vehicle with forged licence plates they later set on fire. But while the assailants successfully freed the prisoner he was arrested hours later by the Spanish Civil Guard. The October 2023 attack - dubbed "Van Ibiza" - has since been confirmed as a "highly planned" operation conducted by a very "sophisticated" network of gang members. Read more on World BRAZEN RAID New vid shows drug boss The Fly's deadly jailbreak as French cops hunt fugitive Their objective was the release of a Brit serving a sentence for drug trafficking and money laundering, the Civil Guard said. A spokesperson for the force added: "As the investigation progressed, it was found that it was a highly planned operation with a very sophisticated network, whose objective was the release of a prisoner of British origin, who was serving a sentence in the prison of Ibiza, for crimes of drug trafficking and money laundering at an international level." "In addition, it was found that it was a criminal organisation of English origin, of great police interest to international organisations, which was sustained by drug trafficking and high-end vehicles stolen internationally." "The individuals who acted in the assault on the police van had a great specialisation in similar events. "In fact, it was found that some of them had a record for homicide in third countries, as well as arms and drug trafficking." Following the assault - where assailants "intimidated the agents who were guarding a prisoner with firearms" - an urgent investigation into the group was launched. Dramatic moment drug dealer leads cops on high-speed chase through posh estate - before officers smash his windows in Searches were carried out in homes and warehouses used by the gang. Around 80,000 euros in cash and a stolen vehicle were seized, as well as large amount of drugs and documents containing details of the planned raid. A year and a half later, cops successfully identified all those involved and confirmed they had record and arrest warrants in the UK. The five gang members are being charged with crimes of evasion of conviction, aggravated attack against law enforcement officers, drug trafficking, membership of a criminal group, injuries and illegal possession of firearms. A European Police Office spokesperson said: "The investigation began as a result of a violent assault that occurred in 2023, on a busy public road in Ibiza and in the morning. "The assailants intimidated the agents who were guarding a prisoner with firearms." The spree of arrests comes as glamorous rapper dubbed the "Barbie Bandit" was arrested in a dramatic police raid targeting a massive dark web drugs operation. Maria L., 25, known for posing in Barbie-pink outfits and flaunting an assault rifle on social media, was seized by Russian cops in St Petersburg on May 15. The influencer-turned-trafficker is accused of helping run a slick online drugs shop — managing storage, distribution, and sales of illicit substances through the dark web. Photos online show the rapper in crop tops and doll-like makeup, living a flashy life that masked a far more dangerous double identity. Police said: 'She helped sell the drugs online and also managed their storage and distribution.' During the raid, cops uncovered laptops, mobile phones, and a 'significant' stash of chemicals used to make hallucinogens — along with scales and other manufacturing gear. 6 La Guardia Civil police launched an investigation into the criminal gang Credit: 6 A raid on warehouses in the area found lots of cash Credit: Rita Sobot
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Shocking moment Magaluf doorman floors Brit tourist, 25, with flurry of punches after being bottled in horror bar attack
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the shocking moment a Magaluf doorman floors a British tourist with a flurry of punches after being bottled in a horror attack. The bouncer was left with a nasty gash that needed at least 20 stitches - and the Brit has been convicted over the assault at Plaza on the bustling Punta Ballena strip. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The bouncer holds the Brit with one hand and draws back to swing with the other Credit: Solarpix 5 He unloads a series of skilful punches on the customer, who has just bottled him in the face Credit: Solarpix 5 The bouncer was left with a nasty gash Credit: Solarpix CCTV footage shows the Lithuanian bouncer exploding at Max Barnes, then 19, who he has up against a wall after the drinker bottled him. He unloads a series of sharp jabs in the packed nightspot, acting in self-defence. The customer dodges as many as he can but some of the blows land home. They spill over into the middle of the bar, when the bouncer delivers one more clean whack that sends the customer sprawling onto the floor. read more in world news CRASH RIDDLE Air India chief reveals major update on crash investigation & engine theory He then brings his hand to his blood-covered face and neck to inspect the damage. The 34-year-old doorman was left with a gash wound needing 20 stitches, according to public prosecutors. Prosecutors had demanded a five-year prison sentence for Barnes, now 25, who was held on an international arrest warrant after being bailed and going awol. The Brit, a teen at the time of the July 2019, claimed after his arrest by Civil Guard officers that he himself had acted in self-defence following a previous assault. But this week he was handed an 18-month suspended prison sentence after admitting the unprovoked attack as part of a plea bargain deal. Barnes, who had already paid his victim nearly £35,000 in compensation, admitted his guilt in a trial where he spoke briefly via video conference. Shocking moment UFC thug Conor McGregor pummels club reveller with TWO brutal punches in packed Ibiza nightclub The trial judges said they took into account his confession and compensation payments in their decision to keep him out of jail - as long as he doesn't re-offend. The obtained CCTV footage did not show the moment Barnes used a broken bottle to disfigure the doorman. But it did show the run-up to the attack when the Lithuanian man, in a tight white T-shirt, could be heard arguing with the Brit after telling him to leave due to misbehaviour. The Brit was held in the UK on an international arrest warrant after initially paying £13,000 bail to get out of prison and flying back home. Officials in Majorca issued the arrest order after he failed to respond to court communications. 5 The Lithuanian doorman can be seen with a patch of blood growing across his white t-shirt Credit: Solarpix 5 The bouncer puts his hand to the deep gash on his face Credit: Solarpix Public prosecutors said in their pre-trial indictment they had uncovered no evidence of the previous attack Barnes had alleged took place and claimed he was defending himself against. A female British soldier was involved in another horror glass attack in a Magaluf nightclub in November 2023. Bus driver's daughter Sydney Cole was arrested when her pal, Scots-born Lance Corporal Sarah Garrity, was left in intensive care after losing four pints of blood and needing 14 stitches to a neck wound. Cole was warned initially she could be jailed for three years after being charged with a crime of wounding by Spanish state prosecutors, despite her victim's refusal to press charges. However, she ultimately escaped prison and was let off with a £780 fine. Cole, now 25, initially insisted after her arrest that Sarah was hurt in an accident. She claimed to have thrown the the glass on the floor during the fight, and said shard flew up and hit Sarah in the neck. However, she later confessed to the assault as part of a plea bargain deal.
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Shock moment Brit is knocked out cold by sucker-punch in Benidorm after getting into argument with bouncers
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the terrifying moment a Brit is sucker-punched after getting into a row with Benidorm bouncers. Footage from Sunday night shows the lad being knocked to the ground as fellow holidaymakers rush to his aid. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 The Brit was left lying on the ground unconscious Credit: SWNS 6 The puncher's fist can be seen flying through the air 6 The short man in the black shirt could be seen moments before the punch was thrown Credit: SWNS The Brit, dressed in a white t-shirt and trousers, appears caught up in a heated exchange as a friend steps in to try and quell the argument. As tensions escalate, the man is seen being brutally punched in the face and falling to the ground, contorting one of his legs. The shocking clip then shows a woman in a pink cowboy hat rushing to the man's aid as a group of lads row with the security guards. According to one onlooker, the scuffle escalated when one man - who appeared to be a local - asked the other to leave the bar. They told the Mail Online: "It's always the d***head Brits - it makes you ashamed to be a Brit sometimes. "We'd been in there for two hours or so - it seemed a nice bar and all of a sudden we heard a bit of a commotion. "He was out cold, and his leg looked dislocated." The Brit's current condition remains unclear. This isn't the first time Spain has seen a bust up between revellers. Earlier this month, footage was released of two unruly Brits who started fighting each other in Tenerife while getting cheered on by immature yobs. Shock moment cheering Brits watch vicious street brawl in hols hotspot Tenerife One of the women is seen lunging at another tourist before brazenly tackling her face-first onto the ground. The violent footage filmed in Playa de Las Américas sparked fury among locals on the popular holiday island. Elsewhere, a lad's holiday to Benidorm ended in horror when a dad broke his neck after being shoved into a swimming pool "as a joke". Martin Bullen, 31, was at a Benidorm pool party on June 10 when he claims somebody who he "didn't know" playfully pushed him into the water. 6 The pub goers grapple as the tension rises Credit: SWNS 6 The brawlers stand over the unconscious man as they continue to push each other Credit: SWNS The single dad-of-two said he had no idea how shallow the water was so when he was pushed, he tried to dive in but split his head open on the bottom of the pool. Luckily one of the worried partygoers that stepped in to get Martin out of the pool was an army medic so knew to keep him still until an ambulance arrived. Martin, who works as a sales advisor, was then taken to a nearby hospital where docs gave him 16 stitches in his head and found that he had fractured his neck in three places and broken his back. He explained that the trip to Benidorm with his cousins was intended to have a break from being a busy single dad. The fight also comes just a month after two Brits were caught brawling in Tenerife. The violent footage filmed in Playa de Las Américas sparked fury among locals on the popular holiday island. The footage has highlighted growing concerns over tourist behaviour in Spain. At the start of the astonishing footage, one of the women dressed in white is seen lunging at another tourist. She brazenly tackles her face-first onto the ground.
